Method and apparatus for making manifold forms



July 8, 1952 J. B. FULK METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING MANIFOLD FORMS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed NOV. 2, 1948 .SBM

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July s, 1952 J. B. FULK 2,602,665

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING MANIFOLD FORMS Filed Nov. 2, 1948 y 6 Sheets-Sheeil 2 l| 6( ggl INVENTOR. JAMS B. Fl/A AUM/vf ya I J. B. FULK METHOD AND APPARATUS F'OR MAKING MANIFOLD FORMS July 8, 1952 6 Sheets-'Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 2, 1948 EEE July 8, 1952 J. B. FULK I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING MANIFOLD FORMS 6 Sheets-Shea Filed Nov. 2, 1948 INVENTOR. JM'' FULI( BY fi; f

July 8, 1952 J, B, FULK 2,602,665

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING MANIFOLD FORMS Filed Nov. 2, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

July 8, 1952 1 B, FULK 2,602,665

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING MANIFOLD FORMS Filed Nov. 2, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheetl 6 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvlvvvvv vvvvrvv vv 'vvv IIIOOOQ0590000000000000000900400000OOO000000000000000000000000 0000000||| o /45 [34 sa no f 00 0(700?000000000000OOIOQOOODQOOOOO0111000000000000000000000000000 I are 4then gathered together vand packs.

Patented July 8, 1952 UNI'rEo'sfrlirlizs PAQ-TENT oFFlcr.v

ANDAPPAJRATUS Fon MAKING MANIFOLD FORMS- Jaines Full-r,` Green Bay, Wis., assignor of vonehalf to Fred Ross, Green Bay, Wis,

Application November 2, 1948, Serial No. 57,975

21 Claims. (Cl. W70- 53) This invention relatesy to a method vand apparatus f or making manifoldforms in4 whichoneftime carbons ,are employed for makinga record. n

The invention is adapted for usek in making forms that are suitable for use on tabulating machines or for making manifold packs. Usually such forms include two or more record sheets with interleaved transfer', sheets that form al single .unit, or are formed in long Vcontinuous webs that are foldedin zig-zag formation.

' Tabulating forms usually comprise a continuousy strip of record and interleaved transfer material -and frequently embody 'as many as ten or more record strips, arranged in superimposed relationship. The distinctive featureof suchforms is the utilization of a row of'control holes along .one or Vbotli'edges of the product. The holes areinrtevndedforthe receptiony of Athepins on a tabu- .lating machine.. attachment whereby vthe continuous strips or forms are fed automatically .through the tabulating machine. Such control holes are kusually spaced one-half inch or one inch ,aupartfand in some cases are punched through the, record strips,.as.well asthe transfer strips, or in some-instances vare punched .through the form but only through the record stripflon the other edge of theform., Again, lthere are instances whereinv the record `and transferV strips arepunched only along one edge, andft-hereare strip by-stapling or byI pasting along a narrow l line-vinclose proximity to the control holes.

'Heretofora one method of `marnufacturing tabulating forms has been to punch the control g holes on the printing press as the paperv is being yprintedzone strip at a time, `The carbon'isalso ,punched and perforated separately, one strip .at a

1A further-problem which has been encountered in the pre-preparation of the carbon or ytransfer strips has been the difficulty in-'aligning the aper- V tures therein with/those, in the printed record strips because of the fact rthat the punchings on vthe strips are `made at different times and ,on

dilferent machines.

An object of the present invention is toiobtain an accurate register of the control holes in tabulating forms between the record strips, and between the record and transfer strips, and to mainrecord. strip and transferstrip on one edge of the.

instances@ wherein Ythe record .sheet only, isf, .punched alongone edge. Inthe latter instance` `the carbon strips may be attached to the'record time, whereupon the record and transfer strips folded up into Experience hasshown that it is most'difcult to punch clean holes on a high speedrotary press adhesive, to the record strips.

:tain a definite relationship between the holes and the printing on the record strips. An additional object is to'perform other operations on the forms, such as cross-perforating and staplingY in anexpe'ditious manner. In this connection, the invention contemplates additionally the elimination of the pre-preparation of holes and cross kperforations in the' transfer strips, andA additionally includes a method by means of which the forms may be manufactured with a high degree of accuracy,

I carry out the foregoing objects by eliminating the step of punching the control holes and cross perforating on the press, and by eliminating the pre-punching or vpre-cross perforating of the transfer strips. Instead, I cause a row of holes to .bemade along at least one edge of the :record c 'strips in constant xed relation to the printing `while the strips are in the press, and for. such purpose, I utilize .a width of form in'excess of that of-the finishedV form.. I then bring the record 'strips together `with interleaved `unperforated and unpunched `carbon strips in a collating machine, such as that illustrated anddescribed in United `StateslPatent No. 2,100,776, issued November 30,

1937 on .an invention by George L. Fulk. At such time, the transfer strips may be fastened, as by After they strips are brought together in the collating machine, they are -then caused'to pass across Vone or more endlessbelts which have projections that engage `lthe apertures in the record strips, wherebyv all and that as al resulta problem-hasy been ,en-

Experiencehas vof thesuperimposed strips are retained in accurate registration. The belt or belts are caused to bemovedrintermittently, and during the stationary intervals,` the control holes are punched, and

kthe cross perforating and stapling operations are performed, as a result of'which all superimposed record strips and carbon strips have kthe control holes andy cross perforations in absolute alignment with the printed matter on the forms. The arrangement is such that the punch andother vwork-performing `mechanism are outA of contact with the forms during the interval of movement of theforms and'fbelt. I prefer to perform the Fig 12 3 punching and perforating operations within the connes of the ends of the belts. After the forms leave the belt the perforated strip along the edge is cut off and discarded.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a machine embodying the' present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine, but with the punching, perforating and stapling devices removed;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on a plane indicatedV by the line 3-3 but showing the rack actuating` crank advanced approximately 90 in a clockwise direction from that shown in Fig. 1; Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are sections taken on planes indicatedlby the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is a section taken on a plane indicated by the line 8-3 in Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a section taken on a plane indicated by the line 9 9 in Fig. 1; Fig. 10 is a section taken on a plane indicated by the Vline Ill-I in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a section taken on a plane-indicated by the line II--II in Fig. 2; is a side view of the belt `which is utilized for engaging and advancing the forms The belt I6 operates to move the forms beneath a punching device that is indicated in general at 25 in Fig. 1, then through a cross perforating device, indicated in general at 26, and then through stapling devices, one of which is indicated at 27 for inserting staples along one edge 'of' the form and another of which is indicated at 28 for inserting V'staplesalong the other edge of the form. Thus, as may be seen in Fig. 14, the punching device 25 is adapted to punch the apertures 30 and 3| along one or both edges f of thefo'rm, the perforator 26 is adapted to make through the machine; Fig 13 is a top plan view of the belt; Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the superimposed strips of forms; Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram for illustrating the operation of the --staplin'g machine; Fig. 16 is a time-cycle dia- -gram; Fig'. 17 is a section taken on a planey f -indicated by the line I'I-I'I in Fig. 1, and Fig.

18,is a section taken througha set of assembled record and'transfer strips.

a VI'Ihe present invention is concerned with a method of making manifold forms after they have been assembled with interposed carbon stripsby a collating machine such as that shown .in United States Patent No. 2,100,766 aforesaid.

Briefly, such machine operates to interpose vtransfer strips between record strips from rolls of record and transfer strips, after which the assembled strips, indicated at Il] in Fig. 1, are

.passed in the direction of the arrow onto the Amachine which is utilized for carrying out the present invention. The record strips in such in- .stan'ceare illustrated in Fig. 14 as having a row A 'The machine by means of which the present invention is carried out replaces the cut-off unit which is-disposed at the delivery end of the machine' illustratedv in said Patent No. 2,100,776.

, According to the present invention, the superimposed record strips, with the interleaved transfer strips,.are passed onto a strip feeding device which preferably comprises a narrow metallic belt I6 having studs I'I projecting therefrom at .spaced regular intervals corresponding to the spacing of the perforations II in the record strip. The studs thus enter the openings il and --act to`guide and feed the forms as well as to hold them against any shifting movement during) the punching, perforating or stapling operations.` The studs are shown as having heads I8 onithe underside of the beltwhich are adapted to enter pockets I9 in the wheels 2U and 2I respectively, whereby the belt is driven whenever the `driving wheel is rotated. VWhile I have `shown only one belt I6,l it is to be understood that, if.desired, I may utilize two belts, the second being disposed parallel to the rst and adapted to engage the strips on the edge oppo site to that engaged by the belt I6. l

In Fig. 1 a portion of the end the cross perforations indicated at 32, the stapling device2'1 is adapted to insert the staples indicated at 33 and the stapling device 28 is adapted to insert the staples indicated at 34. The belt I6, together with the studs which engage the aligned record sheets, passes between the upper and lower working members of the punching, perforatingH-anfd stapling mechanisms and is guided in its travelnas by guideway 22 (Fig. 17). Thus the belt Amaintains a constant` accurate relationship with the work performing` members of those mechanisms, some of which are above the strips and some below the stripaso that the studs, which control the alignment and position of the printed strips, are ata minimum distance (laterally) from the working members. Moreover, the pins are in constant engagement with the registering apertures of the strips at about 1" intervals while the strips are passing through the mechanisms, as well as during the stationary intervals when the control holes are being punched and the cross perforating and stapling operations are being performed. 4

The present invention includes a method of performing the punching and other operations upon the forms while, they are `securely held against movement and in registration with each other. Additionally, the invention provides rmechanism by means of which the forms are advanced intermittently and by means of which the punching, stitching, Vcross perforating and shearing (if desired) may be accomplished While the forms arestationary. The mechanism for accomplishing such operation includes a frame 40 which embodies` two similarly formed mem- ;bers that are adapted to be connected together I members Vsupport the punching, perforating and stapling devices aforesaid and also support bearings forshafts 46 and 41 upon which the belt Wheels 20 and 2l are respectively carried.

The belt driving shaft 46 may be rotated intermittentlyby means of a rack 48, one end of which isfslidably mounted Within a saddle 49 which is loosely positioned upon the shaft 46 and is adapted to operate a gear 50. The gear in turn is loosely mounted upon a sleeve 5I (Fig. 3) and has affixed thereto an arm 52 which carries a pawl 53.

The pawl is adapted to actuate a ratchet wheel together by securing members 51, and which are adapted to exert pressure Yupon a liner 58 which is shown as comprising a plurality of 4segmental Wooden blocks which engage a brake drum 59 that radially by means of an adjustingfscrew 63 which Aengagesianut. 64. :The nut, in turn,lis'shifta'ble `withinLa radial slot 65', as is best shown in Fig. 4. Thelouter end ofthe nut |54 terminates in a'crank pin. 66v Whichiscarried in aY bearing block :61,

vand theV bearing blockxis fixed tor onerendofrthe rackA bar. Thus, by rotating 'the hand Wheel '68, thethrow of thecrank pin canbevaried asa result of which the distance between-i the cross perforations 32 canfbe'variediniaccordance with the Vlength of formdesired.

Rotation ofthe` crank shaft 62 may-be effected throughfgears. 69,4 1-,6 and '1-=|- (F-ig; 2): by an intermediate shaft12 which isrjournalled inthe frame members and which carriesa gear 13; The latter meshes `With a gear 14 on .a driveA shaft 15, and the'drive shaft is adapted to-be operated by a motor 16. Y

To actuate the punching device' and thecross Y perforator'25 and 26 respectively, I have shown aperforator drive shaft 80 `which carriesa gear 8| `that isin mesh with gea-r., 1|. VThe shaft carries a pair of eccentrics 82, each of Which-has a `connecting rod 84 connectedk thereto. Each rod is connected by a pin and slot connection 86 l to a bar -1 which is mounted forl vertical reciprocation Within aguideway 8,8 that depends from the base 89 of the-perforator head. The bars 31 carry` the perforator pressurel head 26, `and the timingof the gearingisf-such that the head .26 is rlowered to effect perforation ofthe f orrns while the beltl |6 isin-the stationary interval.

The ,perforator isshown in; more .detail in Figs.

9.and.10 where'inthe head26; is shown asl being. urged normally Vaway. from vthe base.by,aspring A 90 which surrounds a pniaat each'. end of the head. 'Iheperforatingblade isrindioated Aat 9| vask being mountedwithin a slot-92 and as beingY held in place bylQCRsCr-eWs 03 which bearagainst a.v clamping block 94. The' base plate carries ra block 95against which the perforating. blade may exert pressure through theeinterposed formsy v-The mechanism for., oper-ating :lhe kpunch 1s similar If togthat for actuating the -perforating device.v Tothis end-'the punch.'actri'aljrlrlg `Shaft is indicated iat 96- asfcarryingfa pair.l offeccentrics .91

which in turn-actuatefthebars Whichcarry the pressure head25. -The .bars are mountedzforrvertical reciprocation within guideways 11 which. k depend'ifrom' a base plate 18, which is fastened by any suitable meanstof theframe 40. The

lpunchhead-may carry a plurality ofpunches, one of-'Which is indicatedat |03; iniclose proximityf tothe edge of the belt I6. =The`punchvoperating shaft.y Sffpmay be rotated by means of -gears Si),v |00 Vand i. Which are aixedtopthe .gperforating drive shaft 870 to .the intermediate ldrive-shaft H12 and-to the :punch shaftg respectively. They timing of :the gearing iis' such as: to

actuatefthe punch head-.simultaneously Withlthe Y perforating. device, so asto perform' operations on .the form while fthe belt is stationary; and so as to .clear the forms Wherrth'ey beltfis moving;

l The motor'l' may also be utilized for'actuating` a shaft |05, which extends to the collator.` |'and which. Yoperates the g mechanism thereon for gathering-.the formsf'from the. rollsand `delivering the fstrips fin z superimposed formation:` onto Athe f beltwl. `The shaft |05 may 1be=rotated throughi Withu-.bevel gear' r |01 on@ ftheffvertical shaft` |108.

The: lowerffend of .thersh'aft flzfcarriesx'a bevel lgear: v|09 which meshes* W-ithi'l the bevel: :gear H0 von the shaft |055. The shaft. l'llJmayv be jour- .,is'shownas'beingfattachedl to therespectve frame members Alll); i Y

The `staplin'g. devices f2.1" and 28 are each `op'- erated byran electricf-motonlone of which isndicatedat 'llon the device V21, it being understood thata similar motor V`|.|5A'is mounted fon .the-deviceA 20. These-motorsare adapted toro'tat'e constantly and to be actuated to 'drive a staple'into .is operated tof outV the forms IWlile "tlfieyf are-1in the vvstationary position. Thus; Fig.' 16 'illustrates the timing cycleras represented?by'a'tV` complete Ythe forms,iupon closing of the electric* circuit through ar solenoid-to release a one revolution clutch. The'closingl of they circuit maybe ac.- complishedA by means' of' av cam |120 which is 'xed to the punch actuatingshaft Se'and Which'is adapted to actuatethe spring'arm I2I tomove the contactpoint |22 into engagement Vwith the contact point |23.` K'

As shown in'Fig. 15,Y current from a source of supply may be obtained through conductorsv |30 and |3 and fred to the motors ||5 and'l |5A`on the devices indicated in `gvei'ieral at -21 A.and 28 respectively'. The'niotors may be controlled 'b y master ,switches |24 and |25 respectively, and the devices are shown as having a one turn clutch .|26 and,.|21 respectively. EachY clutch` is biased shafts in turn lare yconnected by gearing |40'to vbe in constant rotation. 4 .Thus, in Fig. 14, the-nar- .royv stri-p |45 is shown as being severed from the 'form at the pointA |46, while in Fig. 2.,*the outer line ofv one edgeof the form, prior to severance is vshown` at |41; While at |48 the line is illustrated 'afterseverance Aline designating the opposite edge-ofl the form islindicated at |50. `Whenever theV row ofholes- |I lis duplicatedlon the opposite edge ofthe forrnsyasaforesaid, relativelywide strips may be held with greater ease, in `which case the trimming apparatus aforesaidis also duplicated. Y Y

i; If "desired, the forms "after 'havirzg' been punched-perforated!'and Stapl'ed 'may' 'be iwthdra-Wn from the apparatus `as long continuous 'strips and jr'naybe folded/into packsin anyrsu'itlable manners. --On'the Votlr-zr handytheforms may [be cut into anyfdesiredlength by means cfa vertically' operating `shear |5| l which isadapted`tofbe vactuatedbyj eccentrics v|52 which vare* mounted upon ashaft:1 53.` yThe shaftinturn'maybe drivenV b'y a 'chain 154V which extendsfover sprocket 'Wheels on the shaft |531' and'the=-s`haft 62 respectively,v The timing isfsuch that thefgear circle wherein the portion -indiate'sthe l.movement ofi'thebelt andftlie portion-i461 indicates the` .time during Ywhich the` punching; cross perforating, stapling'and= shearing: occurs.. j

` In Fig-18 I have shown an assembly of record -andt transfer stripswherein the record strips l have interleavedv transfer stripsiiv which are adhesively connected together-as indicated at 1. The holes |l on'theremovable stripsare indicated at one end of the record strips while the punched holes 30 are shown in close proximity thereto. vThe line MG-A indicatesthe location of the line of severance of the outer strips from Vthe body of the record strips. It is to be understood; however, that the assembly may consist of, a: greater number ofrecord and transfer Astrips and thatthe rows of'holes I I and 30 may beiduplicated along the opposite edge of the strips as previously stated. By locating the belt projections VIl as close as possible to van edge Yof the beltand by locating the punches as close 'as vpossible to the same edge of the belt, the punching is accomplished in a region Where the strips are firmly supported and the resulting holes are cleanly and accurately made. Likewise, by ap '.plying -the staples to the strips in a location closely adjacent to the inner edge of the belt, the forms are securely fastened together at a time when registration thereof is at the optimum condition.v Y Y An advantage of the present invention is the fact that the press which prints the forms may be operated at a high rate of speed and that the row orfrows of holes Il 'thereon` need not be -made with the high degree of cleanness as is necessary for the controlopenings 3D. and 3l which appear in the final forms. Moreover, the control holes `in the finished forms can be made with dies which have a straight up and down motion, with a resulting quality of punching that is not obtainable at the speed of a rotary press. Moreover, the present invention affects the punching, stitching andk cross perforatin'g, as well as shearing (if desired)V while the forms are rigidly held in stationary position.

A .fu'rther'ad`vantage is that the forms and carbon can be punched. at vthe-same time while...

Moreover,"

all of the strips are under control. l

imperfect alignment of the holes is eliminated because the forms are punched While they are held in anv absolute. straight line by the belt and ,because the punches are positioned in close proximity to the edge of the belt and within the confines -of the ends of the belt. This also obvi- ,ates Athe necessity for pre-punching of the control holes and pre-perforating of the transfer strips ,and lgreatly facilitates the manufacture of Y accurate tabulating forms.

.l claimz.

1. A method of making manifold forms hav- `ing a plurality of record strips with a plurality Aof interleaved transfer strips comprising, providing a narrow strip, having a row of holes along atleast one edge of the record strips as a guiding and feeding medium, establishing control .boundaries against displacement within and normal to the plane of the strips, by passing the j forms over a belt which has projections that are adapted to enter the holes in the strips, intervmittently moving the belt with the associated forms under control thereon, performing an op- 2:, method Qimakng manifoldforms havin-g record strips.' with,v interleaved transfer strips -comprising,`providing a narrow strip having a row of holes along at least one edge of .thereoord strips asa guiding and feeding mediumyestablishing control boundaries against displacement Within and normal to the plane of the strips, :by passing the forms over a belt which has projections that are adapted to enter the holes in said strips, punching a rowlofholes in the'forms inwardly of said first row of holesiand Within the confines of the lends ofthe belt While they are held -by the belt, 1 continuously maintaining the control boundaries at and during'the punching-of the strips, and then removing the narrow strip. y

'3. A method 4of lmaking manifold forms having record strips with interleaved transfer strips comprising, providingl a narrow strip having a -row of holes along at least one edge of thereoord strips as a guiding and feeding medium, establishing control boundaries against displacement Within'Aand'normal to the plane of the strips, by passing the forms over a lbeltV which has projections that are adapted to enter the holes in said strips,l impressing cross perforations in the forms within the confines of the ends of'the'belt While they are held by 'the belt, continuously maintaining the control boundariesat and during the impression of cross-perforations, and `then removing vthe narrow strip.

v4. A method or making manifold forms having record strips with-interleaved transfer strips comprising, providing a narrow strip having a row of holes along at least one edge ofthe record strips as a guiding and feeding medium, establishing control boundaries against displacement within and normal to the plane of the strips, by passing the forms over a beltwhich has vprojections that are adapted to enter the holes in said strips, intermittently moving the "beltA with the superimposed forms under control thereon, performing substantially simultaneously a plurality-of operationsupon the forms within the confines of the endsA of the belt while they are held in stationary position upon the belt and continuously maintaining the vcontrol boundaries at each operation'and throughout all operations-on the strips. Y l

5. A method of 'making manifold 'forms having record strips with interleaved transfer strips comprising, providing a narrow strip having a rowof holesalong atleast one edge of-the record strips as a guiding and feeding medium, establishing control boundaries against displacement within and normal' to the plane of the strips, by passing the forms over a belt Which'has projections that are adapted-to enter the holes in said strips, moving the belt intermittently a predetermined distance inregular sequence, and While-theforms and belt are heldf stationary, performing` substantially simultaneously and Within the connes of the ends of the belt a punching, cross-perforating and' stapling operation, withdrawing the punching, perforating vand staplin'g mechanisms from the forms and holding them out ofcontact with the forms, advancing the 'belt a predetermined distance and then repeating the cycle of operations, andcontinuously maintaining the control boundaries at each operation and throughout thecycle of all operations.y Y

. .6.#A method of "making-'manifold forms having record stripsv with interleaved transfer strips comprising,4 providing a narrowstrip having a .rowi of holes along at least one `edge of therec- 9 e v ordnstrips as aguiding .and feeding medium, establishing` controlv boundariesag'lainst displacement Qwithin and'fnorrnal .to .the plane of the strips, by'passing the. strips overa lbelt which has projections that areadapted tolenter 'the holesinsaid strips, advancingfthe belt with an intermittent motion andrpunching one vor more holes in the forms in close` proximityV to the belt While the formsv are held instati-onary po'- sition andv continuously. maintaining thel control boundaries at .and 'during the. lpunching ofthe strips. i

.7. A method 'ormakihg manifold. ferme ,hav-f ing record strips with interleaved tre' 1`isfe'r strips comprising, providing afnar'row strip having' a roster holes along,atleastoner e'dgeo'f each rec- OrdV stripas a guiding and fedinglnetln, BS- tablishing controll boundaries against displacement Within and'. normal to'tliefplane'loffthe.

strips, bypassing.V the strips over .atjelt vwhich has pO'jetJns that are .adapted"toenter;theV holes in Said strips, punchingoneor more holes.

sja method of. making manifold forms nav-I ingreco-rd stripsv with interleaved transferstrips comprising, providing a narrow strip having. av ro'vv of holes along. at least one edge of each rec-` ord stripl as .a guidin'g'and feeding medium, esV tablishing control boundaries .against displace-Y ment within' and noralfto theplaneofthe strips;` bypassing thestrips over a. belt'tvhich has projections that fare adapted to enter/the holes'insuch strips,fstapling all strips together in close proximity toV the.be'lt`,and` continuously maintainingl the 'control 'boundaries .at and dur-y ing Vthe stapling ofthe' strips. l 9.` A method of making manifold vforms which are" suitable for use i'liV a'fthlatingfmachine, comprising taking a plurality Vof l record. strips each havinga rovv'v of holesalong at least one edge thereQfJnterleaving' said strips with transfer' strips"`fvvherein the transfer strips arenar. rowjerv than the record strips andlhave an .uninterrupted surface, establishingffcontrol boundaries against displacementwithinfandnornial to the plane .ofithestrips bypassing Y,the interleaved record"` and transfer' V strips overafbelt which has projections Ythat are adapteddto enterV the holes in .said record` strips, 'and holding the inter-f leaved record and transfer strips under control uponthe belt While perforniingan operation on' the.4 record andl transfer stripsv Withintlle connesffthe ends of the belt.

v ids metric-)di ef making. manifold forms' 'einhodyinginterleaved recordan'd transfer strips,y

comprising 'taking a plurality ofrecer ,strips 881615. having ai TOW Offholes alilgat leas'tf'()'ie edgehut. outsidefthe confines of the Widthgof the finished forms, interleaving said reeordstrips with' rvtransferstripsy 'Which are rnarrower vthan therecord strips andfwhich have an .unint'er rupte'd surface,` 'establishing 'control' boundaries against. .displacement .Within and normalv to the planeof thejstrips, bypassing the interleaved. record and transfer strips over a belt whichI has projections that are. adapted to enter the holes in said record strips, punching a row of formfeeding and. register controlling holes along" Ian edgeofat least the record strips, but outside the transfer. strips, continuously inaintainingithe l0 control boundaries aty and during the punching of the strips. and then removing the strip containing the row ofholes outside the coniines'of the width -of the nishedform. s i

11. A method of making manifoldforms, com`l prising taking a pluralityhof record strips each havingv a row of holes along at least one edge but outside the confines of the Width of the finished forms,.interleaving said record strips VVWith' transfer strips which havel an uninterrupted surface, establishing" control houndariesagainst displacement Within and normal to the plane of the strip, by passing the interleaved record and transfer vstripsv over a belt which has projections that are adapted to enter the holes `in said rec ord Stripapunching a ro'W of form-feeding and register controlling holes along opposite edges of the record Vstrips 'with one ofthe rows being closely" adjacent to the edge ofthe belt, continu` ously maintaining thecontrol boundaries atand during` thepunching of the strips 4and then re#v moving the strip containing the row of holes 'outside the confinesof the Width of 'the finished form. 1 y 12. A'niethod of making manifold forms, embodying interleaved record and transfer strips, comprising taking a plurality' ofrecord strips` each having 'a row of holes along at leastone e'dg'e 'but outsidetheeonflnes of the `widiliof the finished form, Vinterleaving said record Vstrips with transfer strips Whichhavean uninterruptv ed surface, passing the interleaved record and transfer strips over a belt vvhichhas projections that are adapted to enter the "holes in said record strips, holding the interleaved recordl andV transfer strips upon the belt and stapling them together adjacent "to an edge ,of the lbelt and Within the eonnnes'of Ythe normal width of the finished forni.vv l

13. A machine for performing an operation on a plurality of 'supjeriinposedinterleaved 'record and transfer strips, said record strips havingy a succession of form lengths thereon and having a plurality of regularly spaced openings througlfi-fl out their length, a lbelt having. control projec-` tions extending therefrom at regularly spaced intervals and thatare adapted to' engagejth'e openings in said record strips so as to'maintain' the correspondingform lengths on respective superimposed record strips in registration, means for movingthe .belt intermittently a distance corresponding 'to 'the spacing between operations periodically performed thereon, means located within the strip engaging portion of the belt Vfor punching a row vof holes kin the strips inwardlyy of the first row of openings and' within each form length'V While they areV held in 's'taltionary. posi#V I ftoli by the belt Within the' COn'neS Of the ends a plurality "ofjregularly spaced openingsA through'` out their length, a' beit having controlv proj' tions extendingjtherefrom'at regularly spac'ed'i t'ervals and that' are adaptedtoiiengagethe open` ings insaldf record strips so Yas .to -1na`i`ntain the" eorresponding' form'lengths on respective super-v imposed record strips in registration, means for moving the @belt intermittently a distance corresponding tclsuccessive form lengths, means lo-I4 15. A machine for performing van'operation on a plurality of superimposed interleaved record and transfer strips, said record strips having a succession of form lengths thereon and having a plurality of regularly spaced openings throughout their length', a fbelt having control projections extending therefrom at regularly spaced in-y tervals and that are adapted to engage the openings in said record strips to maintain the correspending form lengths on respective superimposed record strips, in registration, means for moving the belt intermittently adistance corre` spondingto the spacing between periodic operationsiperformed thereon, means located within the strip engaging portion of the belt for stapling the strips at spaced intervalsvwhile theyare held i'n'stationary position Foy the belt within the confines of the ends of the belt.

16. A machine for performing an Aoperation uponl a Y plurality of superimposed interleaved record and transfer strips, said record strips having a succession of form lengths thereon and having a plurality of regularlyjspaced openings throughout rtheir length, a belt having control projections extending therefrom at regularly spaced intervals and that are adapted to engage the openings in said record strips so as to maintain the corresponding form lengths on respective superimposed record strips in registration;

means for moving the @belt intermittently a 'dis-k tance corresponding to the spacing between periodic operations performedk thereon, means located within the strip engaging portion 'of the belt for punching holes in the strips within each' form length and for cross-perforating the strips at form length'intervals While the belt is stationary, saidpunching means being disposed in close proximity to one edg'e of the belt, and meansvforsevering narrow portions of the record strips containing the 'openings atrthel completion of the punching and perforating oper-` ations performed thereon while the strips'are so engaged, 'means located within the strip engaging portion of the belt for stapling the'strips iso--r getherfatfspaced intervals while the `:strips are held in stationary position by the belt, said sta.- pling means being disposed in close proximity to one edge of the belt, and means for severing nare. row portions Aof the record strips containing the openings at the completion of the stapling operation.

18. A machine for performing operations upon a plurality of superimposed interleaved record and transfer strips, said strips having a succesA extending therefrom at regularly spaced intervals and that are adapted to engage the openings in said record strips s o as to maintain the corresponding form lengths on respective superimposed record strips in registration, means for moving the belt'V intermittently a distance corresponding to the spacing between periodic operations performed thereon, means for punching holes in the strips within each form length, means for rcross-perforatingY thestrips at each form length, Umeans for stapling the strips at spaced intervals, each of said means located withv in the strip engaging portion of the belt andV ecah Abeing operative substantially simultaneously while the strips are held in stationary position by the belt and vmeans for severing narrow porftions of the record strips containing the openings at the completion of the punching, perforating, and stapling operations.

19. A machine for performing operations upon a plurality ofsuperimposed interleaved record and transfer strips, said record strips having a succession of form lengths thereon and having a plurality of regularly spaced openings throughout their length, a belt having regularly spaced control projections extending therefrom and thatY are adapted to engage the openings in said record' strips so as to maintain the corresponding form lengths on respective superimposed record strips in registration,"mechanism-including ratchet and pawl means for'advancing the belt intermittently a distance corresponding to the spacing between periodic operations performed thereon while the.

strips are so engaged, other mechanism operatf ing within' the strip engaging portion of the belt when the strips are kstationary for punching, crossperforating, and Astitching the strips together simultaneously in predetermined relation to each other and to the form lengths thereon, said last named mechanism operating to clear the strips before the strips are advanced, the first mentioned mechanism including also Va crank and Velectric motor for rotating the crank, Aand means for adjusting the throw of thecrank so as to varythe extent of movement .of the belt.

, 20. Amachine for performing operations. on a plurality of superimposed interleaved'record and transfer strips, said record strips having a succesv-v sion of form lengths thereon and having a plu' rality of regularly spaced openings throughout the length of'the strips, jabelt having -control projections extending therefrom at regularly spaced intervals and that'are adapted'to engage the openings in said record, strips .to maintain the.V corresponding form lengths on. respective superimposed record strips in registration, means for Y moving the belt intermittently a distance corresponding to the spacingV betweenperiodicioper-v ations performed thereon whilethe strips arewso engaged, a braking device operating to hold'the` belt stationary, mechanism including a coacting crank, rack, gear, pawl andratchet for VeffectingV intermittentioperation of the belt, means forrotatingv the crank and means for imparting work performing operations within the strip engaging portion Aof the belt in predetermined relation Vto, the form lengths onthestrips While they are held in stationary position bythe belt.

21. A machine for performing an operation upon a plurality of superimposed interleaved record and transfer strips, said 'record strips length.

13 having a plurality of regularly spaced openings throughout their length and having a succession of form lengths thereon, a belt having control projections extending therefrom at regularly spaced intervals and adapted to engage the openings in the record strips to maintain the corresponding form lengths on the respective superimposed record strips in registration, mechanism for moving the belt at regular intervals corresponding to periodic operations performed thereon, means located within the strip engaging portion of the belt and acting upon the strips within the confines of the ends of the belt for stapling them together at spaced intervals While the belt holds them stationary, and other means operating when the forms are in stationary position for shearing them in predetermined form JAMES B. FULK.

14 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

